When Breath Becomes Air
When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir of a Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon, who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Kalanithi walks us through his story, but also showcases a graceful view on how to face death at its doorstep.
“When someone dies people tend to say great things about him. Please know that all the wonderful things people are saying now about your dad are true. He really was that good and that brave”
My primary care doctor warned me not to end this book on an airplane. I did not read this book on an airplane, but instead read it on the train to Florence. Lesson learned, do not finish this book in a public setting if you want to save face!
Now, let us dive into the book itself. This memoir is a tome of what it is like to be in the shoes of a neurosurgeon. A neurosurgeon is a specialist medical doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions that affect your nervous system - your brain, spinal cords, and nerves. Neurosurgeon is commonly known as the most difficult specialty! One misstep in treatment could result in paralysis, brain damage, or put the patient into a coma.
Kalanithi writes in such a way where the reader is encapsulated in this journey. He conveys the day to day life of a neurosurgeon with additions of how he navigates the role after being diagnosed with cancer. I finished reading this in one sitting because there is no point where there is a lack of perspective or dialogue. Reading the book felt like I was in his shoes the whole entire way through.
The book led me to ask the following based on the plot:
Kalanithi has an unimaginable resiliency with his passion. How do I find that same drive for the work I do in my day to day?
Kalanithi portrays his internal thoughts fluidly. We can never imagine all the thoughts he had while going through this journey. What thoughts did he not showcase in this piece?
Kalanithi’s final words are a nobel feat. How would I face death when it arrives?
These thoughts along with many others made me think back to when my father passed away. He did not write nor did he have many recordings for us to remember his works, his teachings. Those memories only stay with those he intersected with including his children, including me. I hold a piece of what is left. Similarly to how Kalanithi’s wife held the moments of her husband and finished the book, I too will portray the teachings of my father through different forms of mediums. All of us are the storytellers of tomorrow at the end of the day to enrich the next generation with the history of today.
Top 3 Lessons
Listen to the words others share. The words they share are a piece of who they are.
The content you create can impact generations beyond your time.
Allow others to witness the great works you accomplish
Lesson 1: Listen to the words others share. The words they share are a piece of who they are.
Not too long ago, I imagined others were acting “fake”, but what you see in that moment is what they want to convey. A piece of how they want to portray their life to others. There is nothing fake about the actions they show, but rather the words they share are the slice of themselves they want to share. Treasure those words, and navigate accordingly based on how you view those words. At the end of the day, you are the only one in control of your own actions.
Lesson 2: The content you create can impact generations beyond your time.
“Words have longevity, I do not,” is a quote from the book that made me pause. The words we share with others in any form are pieces of their lives that they will absorb if they find it fruitful. They will continue to make additional works through those teachings, and the words will continue to live beyond different generations as others share their interpretation.
Lesson 3: Allow others to witness the great works you accomplish.
Let people judge your actions as they please. Some will gratify you while others condemn you. Those who gratify you will allow you to live on and they will act as disciples of your teachings. They will bestow upon those who come afterwards all the riches of people who came before. You are your own challenger to reach that point of creating amazing works.
Conclusion
When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir of a neurosurgeon, a father, and a husband. The piece allows you to witness the final moments Kalanithi has on this earth as he navigates clinicals of neurosurgery, a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer, and the creation of a family. From the long days at the hospital to moments with his family, there are an abundant amount of lessons available to learn as you witness Paul Kalanithi’s final adventure.
Want to learn from Paul?
Read the book here: Kindle | Hardcover | Audiobook
I’d love to hear your learnings from the book! Tag me on an Instagram story once you finish at @kevintptran.
